U.S. producers trigger probe of rebar imported from Mexico

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce

The Commerce Department has initiated an inquiry to determine if concrete reinforcing steel bar, bent at one or both ends, circumvents existing antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders covering imports from Mexico. The action responds to requests from domestic operators Byer Steel, Cascade Steel Rolling Mills, Commercial Metals, Gerdau Ameristeel, Nucor Corp. and Steel Dynamics. 

Commerce estimates 2018 imports of rebar from Mexico at $51 million. U.S. law authorizes the agency to conduct a circumvention inquiry when evidence suggests that merchandise subject to an existing AD/CVD order undergoes a minor alteration, bringing the product outside the scope of that order. If officials preliminarily determine that circumvention is occurring, they will instruct Customs and Border Protection to begin collecting cash deposits on rebar from Mexico that is subject to the inquiry. Duties will be imposed on future imports, and on any unliquidated entries since the date on which Commerce initiated the circumvention inquiry.